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The first of the 3 questions posted on the web, with the most votes, start by asking about the “Thai Samakee Thai Khemkang” Project.
On one hand, there are praises for the effort in singing the National Anthem in all provinces,
because one gets to learn about the history and culture of said province.
On the other hand, there are some who criticized it or didn’t like the project too much.
I’d like to say that in the past two or three years, the nation has been through times of conflict,
so we came up with an activity that many of you in the general public
could do together to reunite the country and foster patriotism, and reflect on the main institutions of the country.
Certainly, events like these will garner both those who are in favor and those who do not see the worth of the project, as is normal.
By what we have seen, there are many who took the opportunity to join the event in many provinces.
I have met with them, and have seen the statistics which shows an increase in participants. When we initiated this project,
we thought it would be one of the activities that will raise awareness of those in the provinces about this,
especially among children and youths who have joined in. We have to admit that lately these kinds of activities have been missing.
Therefore we have this project which is due to finish by the 4th of December in every province.
After that, we will compile the pictures from every province – actually we are currently compiling them – to be subsequently used when the National Anthem is played.
This is on the part of the “Thai Samakee Thai Khemkang” Project.
The second question is about pictures of field work we’d done in the Isan Region,
accompanied by a wish to see me working on their issues on a continual basis.
I’d like to inform you that fieldwork is always in the plans,
and I try to use the time not engaged in meetings and other obligations, mostly Saturdays and Sundays, to travel to various provinces.
Actually, I’ve been to all regions: Last week, I’ve just been to Sukhothai, Pitsanulok and Phichit, as well as down to Songkhla.
But as was in the concerns expressed, there are problems of protests and demonstrations in some areas.
I’d like to say that most people do not have a problem with the Government.
It is a group of people who dislikes or disagrees with the Government who are demonstrating.
Normally, if there are no uses of violence, this is not a problem, but it is treated as an exercise in democracy.
Unfortunately, the activity that has recently become problematic is in Chiang Mai,
an event that was not arranged by the Government but by the private sector,
who has been working for the past two years on such details as the venue, format, etc.
Because of announcements that there will be a protest organized, with threats of violence from some factions,
in the end the private sector decided that it is not worth it. They had invited me to an atmosphere of peace and order,
but if I went, there may be incidents. I believe that if I actually went, I would have been safe,
but there might be clashes between the protesters and the police,
since it was estimated that thousands will participate. Any clash may become violent because of the weapons involved.
Previously, when the Minister of Finance traveled to Chiang Mai, there had been arrests because of possession of firearm and other weapons.
If such incidents were to happen, it would mean the private sector’s event is ruined,
and it will impact on investment and tourism, as well as the general atmosphere in Chiang Mai.
However, I will be visiting Chiang Mai soon, but that event will be organized by the government.
The third question is on the role of volunteers.
The comment posted was really about how to increase the role of volunteers.
Actually, for volunteers whose roles are invaluable, such as Village Health Volunteers,
we have given concrete support and promotion; other volunteer groups who are working very well with the Government,
such as the civil disaster prevention and mitigation volunteers and others, we have also given support.
In practice, the public can independently mobilize themselves to worthy causes, and we invite you to volunteer on all issues,
including examination of election budgets. The Constitution and other legalities facilitate participation of the general public on this matter.
I am also considering how to push forward laws to increase public participation at the local level, and I believe this law will be ready for proposal to the Parliament by next year.
At the same time, in all aspects of my work, I stress to those in governmental agencies and committees
that the government sector must be open to and encourage more participation by the general public and the private sector.
Therefore, we are in agreement on this subject.
However, with greater government sector involvement in volunteer work,
especially in increasing dependence on the government’s budget, there is a risk that in the end,
independence of such volunteer work will be lost. The Government will try to balance these two extremes,
and to gauge how much support can be given without loss of independence, but will be a promotion of participation.
These are the three questions for this week.